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64
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Directions to Prevent or Reduce Overcrowding
The policy adopted by the Council in 1970, of issuing Directions under Section 19
of the Housing Act, 1961, as amended by the Housing Act, 1969, was continued throughout
the year.
A total Of 746 houses were inspected and 736 Directions were recommended.
Directions were given in respect of 535 houses.
The systematic re-inspection of all the houses subject to Directions continued, most
of the houses being re-visited at three-monthly intervals.
The response of the majority of landlords was favourable and few objections were
made to the limits of occupation set down in the Directions. Many landlords installed
additional facilities following the initial survey visit and as a result of advice given by the
inspection team. Others have carried out works subsequent to the giving of the Directions
and have then applied for variations.
Twenty-nine variations were approved during the year, and one contravention of a
Direction was referred to the Borough Solicitor for legal proceedings to be instituted.
Earls Court Area
In September, 1971, the Council decided to implement the provisions of the
Housing Acts relating to houses in multiple occupation in part of the Earls Court Ward. The
area is shown on the map included in this report.
The houses in this area are large and well built. They are predominantly either in
multiple occupation or in use as hostels or hotels. The area was selected for inspection as it
was known that many of the houses were deficient in sanitary facilities and amenities. It was
also probable that, in many cases, the provisions for means of escape from fire were not of
the standard required by the Greater London Council's Code of Practice for houses in
multiple occupation.
The detailed house-to-house survey of this area continued throughout the year and
the following is a summary of the action so far taken:
Premises inspected ......205
Notices served
Housing Act, 1957:
Section 9 (Repair) 23
Section 90 (Overcrowding in houses let
in lodgings) 3
Housing Act, 1961
Section 12 (Informal undertakings to remedy
management defects) 40
Section 14 (Management defects — formal notices) 3
Section 15 (Sanitary facilities and amenities) 76
Section 16 (Means of escape from fire) 104
Management Orders made 2
Overcrowding
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict interpretation of the standard
laid down in the Housing Act, 1957, distinguishing between "penal" and "non-penal".
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported to the Housing Committee
during 1972 was 57 (9 penal and 48 non-penal), giving an equivalent number of persons of
226½. The total number of recorded cases where overcrowding was abated during the year
was 25, comprising a total of 96 units.
Since October, 1945, 2,975 cases have been reported, and the number of cases
remaining on the register at the end of the year was 73.